Singapore Green Labelling Scheme · SGLS

Singapore Green Label: ISO 14024 Type I Ecolabel for Products

Singapore Green Labelling Scheme (SGLS) is Singapore's ecolabelling programme, designed to identify products that meet independently assessed environmental criteria, based on multiple criteria and consideration of impacts across the product life cycle.

1992 Year the scheme was launched

3,500+ Certified products

30+ Countries with certified products

9 Current main product categories

Important distinction: SGLS certifies products, not an entire company or organisation. Each product within the application scope must be assessed against the applicable SGLS criteria. The scheme is voluntary and is not a general mandatory requirement for all products.

What is the Singapore Green Labelling Scheme (SGLS)?

SGLS was launched by Singapore's Ministry of the Environment in 1992 and has been administered by the Singapore Environment Council (SEC) since 1999. The scheme follows the Type I ecolabelling model under ISO 14024: a voluntary, multiple-criteria environmental labelling programme involving third-party assessment.

Unlike an environmental claim self-declared by a manufacturer, obtaining the Singapore Green Label requires a product to fall within the scope of a specific SGLS standard and to meet the applicable requirements relating to environmental aspects, health, performance, or other technical requirements specified for that product category.

Voluntary

Companies apply voluntarily when they wish to have a product assessed and authorised to use the label.

Multiple criteria

Assessment is not limited to a single benefit such as energy efficiency or recycled content.

Independent assessment

Applications and supporting evidence are reviewed by the scheme administrator against published criteria.

Life-cycle consideration

The criteria address significant environmental impacts from raw materials through the end of the product life cycle.

What a Type I Ecolabel under ISO 14024 Means

ISO 14024 establishes the principles and procedures for Type I environmental labelling programmes. A key feature is that the label is awarded on the basis of multiple environmental attributes, with life-cycle considerations and third-party assessment. The Singapore Green Label therefore serves as an indicator that helps purchasers, procurement teams, and other stakeholders identify products assessed against defined environmental criteria.

Technical note: The Singapore Green Label does not mean that a product has “no environmental impact”. It indicates that the product met the applicable SGLS criteria for its specific product category at the time of assessment.

III

SGLS Product Scope

SGLS currently organises its standards into 9 main product categories. Each category contains standards or criteria specific to different product types. Companies should identify the correct applicable standard before arranging testing and preparing an application.

Building Materials & Interior Products Examples include paints, cement, panels, flooring, doors, adhesives, and sealants.

Cleaning Products Cleaning and hygiene products covered by the relevant SGLS standards.

Electronic Products Electrical and electronic products covered by standards published under the scheme.

Household & Consumer Products Eligible household and consumer products covered by the applicable standards.

Lighting Lighting equipment and products that fall within the SGLS scope.

Stationery & Office Equipment Office-related products covered by the relevant SGLS standards.

Personal Care Products Includes certain categories of cosmetics, personal hygiene products, and related products.

Solar Energy Equipment Examples include photovoltaic equipment and certain solar-powered products.

Sustainable & Specialised Products Examples include recycled products, compostable products, textiles, tyres, and other specialised categories.

Outside the scope: under the current SGLS information, food, beverages, and pharmaceuticals are not within the general certification scope of the Singapore Green Label. If the appropriate category is unclear, contact the SGLS Secretariat before commissioning any testing.

Assessment Criteria and Typical Application Documentation

There is no single set of technical requirements that applies to every product. Each SGLS standard defines the scope, criteria, and evidence appropriate to the characteristics and key environmental impacts of the relevant product category. Companies should therefore obtain the correct requirement document from SGLS before commissioning testing.

Typical Technical Documentation

Application form in the applicable format.
Detailed product description and composition/construction.
Documentation describing the manufacturing process.
Product photographs and product identification documents.
Additional documents required by the applicable SGLS standard.

Testing and Declaration Evidence

Test reports covering the required parameters and prescribed test methods.
Testing performed by a third-party laboratory accredited by a national accreditation body.
Required declarations or confirmation letters signed by authorised personnel.
Test results must meet the applicable criteria before the application is submitted for assessment.

The SGLS Secretariat does not directly test products, and testing costs are borne by the applicant. Reports from overseas laboratories may be accepted if the laboratory holds appropriate accreditation and the testing meets SGLS requirements.

Singapore Green Label Application Process

The following is a simplified overview of the general application process. Detailed requirements may vary depending on the product standard and the specific application.

Check Eligibility

Contact the SGLS Secretariat to confirm whether the product falls within a current SGLS category or standard.

Eligibility

Review the Criteria

Obtain and review the requirements of the applicable standard before commissioning testing or preparing the application.

Requirements

Prepare Supporting Evidence

Prepare the product description, composition, manufacturing process information, test reports, and required declarations.

Documents & Testing

Submit the Application

Submit the complete application package to the SGLS Secretariat through the submission channel currently specified by the scheme.

Submission

Application Assessment

SEC/SGLS reviews the application, requests clarification where necessary, and communicates the outcome. The standard processing time is typically around 3–4 weeks once the application is ready for assessment.

Assessment

Certification & Label Use

Approved products receive SGLS certification and may use the Singapore Green Label in accordance with the scheme's requirements.

Valid 2 years

Current submission channel: at the time this article was updated, the SGLS online application portal was temporarily unavailable; new applications were instructed to be submitted directly to the SGLS Secretariat by email. As the submission method may change, applicants should check the official website before submitting.

New certification: S$3,500 / product Based on the current SGLS fee schedule, excluding 9% GST and testing/other associated costs.

Validity: 2 years Renewal must be completed in accordance with the requirements and criteria in force at the time of renewal.

Fee note: fees, taxes, and processing times may be revised by SGLS. The fee shown in this article should not be treated as a quotation. Applicants should check the “Fees & Validity” section of the SGLS website directly before planning an application.

Using the Singapore Green Label and Maintaining Certification

The Singapore Green Label is a registered trademark of the Singapore Environment Council. Only organisations holding valid SGLS certification may use the label for the specific products listed on the certificate and in accordance with the scheme's label-use requirements.

Use It Only for Certified Products Do not extend use of the logo to products that have not been certified.

Display the Certification Number The logo must be used together with the identification/certification number as required by SGLS.

Follow the Logo Guidelines Do not change the colours, stretch the logo, alter its proportions, or otherwise recreate the label.

Maintain Conformity SGLS may conduct random assessments during the two-year certification period.

Control Use After Expiry When certification expires, use of the label must be handled in accordance with the scheme's requirements.

Check Certification Status Certified products can be checked in the SGLS Directory on the official website.

VII

What Should Vietnamese Companies Prepare Before Applying?

For Vietnamese manufacturers or businesses interested in the Singapore Green Label, thorough preparation from the outset can help avoid testing against the wrong parameters or submitting incomplete technical evidence. The following steps are a useful starting point:

Define the Product Precisely Clarify the model, variants, composition, manufacturing site, and intended product scope of the application.

Confirm the Correct SGLS Standard Do not commission testing before confirming the applicable criteria with the SGLS Secretariat.

Assess Documentation Gaps Compare each requirement against the evidence available from the factory, suppliers, and testing laboratories.

Select an Appropriate Testing Laboratory Ensure that the laboratory's testing capabilities and accreditation status meet the scheme's requirements.

Control Product Changes Manage changes to raw materials, formulations, components, or processes that could affect conformity.

Plan the Timeline and Budget Allow for testing, certification, additional documentation, renewal, and other related costs.

Contact the Singapore Green Labelling Scheme Directly

Organisations and businesses seeking to assess product eligibility, obtain product criteria, prepare a new application, renew certification, or verify certification status should contact the Singapore Environment Council – Singapore Green Label Secretariat directly for guidance based on the latest requirements.

Singapore Environment Council – SGLS Secretariat

Email: greenlabel@sec.org.sg

Phone: +65 6337 6062

Address: 1 Kay Siang Road, #07-01, Singapore 248922

Official Information & Application

Refer to the SGLS website for product scope, criteria, procedures, fees, and the directory of certified products.

Visit Singapore Green Labelling Scheme

References: Singapore Green Labelling Scheme, About SGLS, Product Categories, Certification Process, Fees & Validity. Information may be updated by SGLS/SEC over time; for an actual application, the current guidance issued by the scheme administrator should take precedence.

Service

Verification, Validation